Do you ever look at your dog’s kibble and wonder if there’s a better way to feed them? Many dog owners feel this way. They want their furry friends to have the healthiest, most natural diet possible. Choosing the right raw dog food can feel like navigating a maze. There are so many brands, ingredients, and preparation styles out there. It’s easy to feel confused or worried about getting it wrong.
This confusion often leads to wasted time and uncertainty about whether you are truly supporting your dog’s well-being. But what if feeding raw didn’t have to be so complicated? We have broken down the world of raw dog food into simple, easy-to-understand steps. By the end of this post, you will know exactly what to look for, what ingredients matter most, and how to transition your dog confidently. Get ready to discover the secrets to fueling your best friend with the best nutrition nature offers.
Top Raw Dog Foods Recommendations
- Loftus, Jamie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 05/13/2025 (Publication Date) - Forge Books (Publisher)
- Raw Food Made Easy : Simply Raw combines the safety, easy prep and shelf stable convenience of kibble and canned food with the unsurpassed nutrition offered in real, fresh raw food. Just add water to make this 3 lb bag into over 18 lbs of raw whole food, ready to serve in minutes.
- Ingredients With Purpose : Simply Raw is made with only the freshest human grade ingredients. Every ingredient is chosen with care to support holistic health and provide functional benefits for lasting wellness : Freeze-dried raw beef muscle, organ meat, chicken bone broth, whole egg, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, OMEGA fatty acids, probiotics & prebiotics. Raw, whole food ingredients you can see.
- All Natural Nutrition : At Nature’s Diet, we believe in honest, transparent labels. We are proud of the wholesome, clean ingredients we use to make Simply Raw - unlike some other brands, we never put anything into our dog food that isn’t listed on the label. No fillers, no grains, no GMOs, no unnatural preservatives, no soy, no added flavorings or dyes. Just honest, raw, whole food nutrition. Key Product Features
- USA Sourced, Sustainable, Thoughtful : Made lovingly in small batches in the USA with regionally sourced ingredients & humanely raised meat. Real food for healthy dogs and a healthier planet.
- Safe Raw : Freeze-Drying is a natural food preservation process which removes moisture while maintaining the nutritional integrity of food. Freeze-Dried Raw is always free of pathogens, making it the safest way to feed a raw diet. Shelf stable, safe to handle & easy to store.
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW CHICKEN HEART DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut chicken hearts.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- PREMIUM BLEND - Nutra Complete is veterinarian-developed with 95% ranch-raised beef & organs. Each delicious bite contains hand-selected ingredients for nutrition that help support healthy digestion, a thick coat, healthy immune function, and overall health and happiness.*
- HIGH QUALITY BEEF - Premium, ranch-raised beef and organs make up 95% of Nutra Complete. Our beef is 100% freeze-dried, so your dog gets easily digestible protein from every bite.*
- SEEDS, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES - Our unique blend of seeds, fruits, and vegetables provides your dog with health-supporting nutrients. This includes flaxseed, blueberry, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, and more.*
- HEALTH-SUPPORTING VITAMINS AND MINERALS - Our food contains a variety of ingredients, carefully selected to offer your dog high-quality nutrition to help support their daily well-being and happiness.*
- USE AS FOOD OR AS MIXER - If you’d like to boost your dog’s diet with freeze-dried nutrition but don’t want to replace their current food, you can use Nutra Complete as a mixer. To add, simply reduce the amount of your dog’s food and replace it with the desired amount of Nutra Complete to avoid overfeeding. Each 1lb bag contains about 7 cups of food.
- HUMANELY SOURCED POULTRY - Crafted with a blend of 100% animal welfare certified chicken and turkey, this flavorful recipe includes nutrient-dense meat, organ, and bone with non-GMO grains, fruits, and veggies.
- RAWMIX - These recipes offer pet parents whole-prey, meat-focused, nutrient dense, kibble recipes with the added benefits of bone broth and freeze dried raw. These diets include meat, organs and bone broth, and deliver optimal taste and nutrition for your pet!
- REWILD YOUR DOG’S BOWL - Perfect for pet parents that are seeking to feed animals as they thrive in the wild, with protein-focused diets, and the convenient, added nutrient of freeze-dried raw. For those pet parents curious about raw nutrition, but not yet ready to fully switch to raw, RawMix is a great option for your furry friend.
- QUALITY & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES - At Open Farm we believe that great nutrition is rooted in the integrity of our ingredients. All of the meat, organ and bones included in these recipes are sourced from 3rd party animal welfare certified farms. By working exclusively with farmers who share our commitment to exceptional quality and sustainable practices, we can make better food for your pets, while also doing some good for family farms, farm animals and the environment.
- 100% TRANSPARENCY: As a part of our commitment to transparent sourcing practices, we provide owners with the ability to trace the origin of every ingredient using the lot number on the bag, because where pet foods come from shouldn’t be a mystery.
- Dr. Marty Nature's Blend Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food 48 oz (3 Bags x 16 oz)
- UPGRADE FROM KIBBLE TO FRESHDRIED RAW: 3x more real meat & nutrient-rich organs than Instinct Original Kibble, delivering high-quality animal protein for strong, lean muscles
- MINIMALLY PROCESSED: Never cooked and less processed than kibble to preserve ingredient integrity and nutrients
- POWER OF RAW: Feeding raw supports lean muscles, strong bones, healthy digestion, immune health, improved energy & vitality, and a vibrant skin & coat
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Made with 85% meat & organs and 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins & minerals— free from grain, corn, wheat, soy, legumes, artificial colors & preservatives
- CRAFTED IN THE USA: Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world for a wholesome, complete diet
- FREEZE DRIED RAW MEAT: Kibble in the Raw locks in the nutrients and flavor of raw meat through our freeze-dried process. Unlike traditional kibble, it delivers optimized nutrition and digestibility without high-heat cooking and overprocessing.
- EASY SCOOP AND SERVE: Skip the prep and mess! Kibble in the Raw is ready to serve straight from the bag, offering the convenience of dry dog food with the nutrition of a raw diet. No preparation or hydration necessary.
- BEEF RECIPE: Made with 100% freeze dried raw protein and grass-fed beef, this recipe delivers protein-rich nutrition to help maintain muscle health and support sustained energy. Packed with flavor, it’s a meal your pup will love with every bite!
- ONLY REAL WHOLE FOODS: We use organic apples, sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, and kale—no synthetic vitamins or minerals. Our minimally processed recipes preserve natural nutrients to help support healthy digestion and overall wellness.
- GENTLE ON DIGESTION: Primal freeze dried dog food is crafted without fillers or common allergens to help support digestive health, leading to smaller, firmer stools.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Raw Dog Food
Switching your dog to a raw food diet can bring exciting changes to their health. Raw food mirrors what dogs ate in the wild. It is packed with fresh nutrients. But navigating the world of raw dog food can feel tricky. This guide helps you pick the best option for your furry friend.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping for raw dog food, several features matter most. These tell you about the food’s quality and completeness.
- Completeness and Balance: The food must have all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs. Look for labels stating it meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or all life stages).
- Meat Content: The primary ingredient should be high-quality muscle meat. Avoid foods heavy on fillers.
- Bone Inclusion: Raw diets need edible bone for calcium and phosphorus. This ratio is vital for bone health.
- Variety: Good brands rotate proteins (chicken, beef, turkey, fish). This offers a broader range of nutrients.
2. Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
Raw dog food typically includes four main components. Understanding these helps you assess the ingredients list.
Muscle Meat
This is the protein source. Good sources include chicken, beef, lamb, or wild-caught salmon. Muscle meat provides essential amino acids for strong muscles.
Organs
Organs like liver, kidney, and spleen are nutrient powerhouses. They supply vitamins A, D, and B vitamins. Liver is usually the most common organ included.
Edible Bone
Ground bone supplies calcium. This mineral is necessary for strong teeth and bones. If the food is boneless, extra calcium must be added, which is less ideal.
Supplemental Ingredients
These often include vegetables, fruits, or healthy fats (like fish oil). These add fiber and antioxidants. Keep an eye on the amount; they should complement the meat, not dominate it.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all raw foods are created equal. Some processing steps help, while others hurt the nutritional value.
Quality Boosters
- Sourcing Transparency: Brands that clearly state where they source their meat (e.g., “humanely raised”) usually offer higher quality.
- Minimal Processing: Flash-freezing preserves nutrients best. This is much better than high-heat pasteurization.
- Accurate Labeling: The ingredient list should clearly show the percentages or types of meat used.
Quality Reducers
- Excessive Fillers: Too many grains, starches, or cheap vegetable matter lowers the overall protein quality.
- Inconsistent Ratios: If the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is off, it can cause bone problems, especially in growing puppies.
- Poor Handling: Raw food must be kept frozen or properly refrigerated. Poor handling can lead to bacterial growth.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you feed raw food affects your daily routine.
Convenience Levels
Raw foods come in different forms. Pre-made complete meals are the easiest. You just thaw and serve. DIY ingredients require you to measure and balance every component yourself, which offers the most control but takes the most time.
Transitioning Your Dog
Most owners start slowly. Introduce the new food gradually over a week or two. This helps prevent stomach upset. Watch your dog’s stool; firm, small stools mean the food is digesting well.
Best Use Cases
- For Picky Eaters: The strong smell and taste of fresh meat often entice fussy dogs.
- For Allergies: Raw diets often use novel proteins (like venison or rabbit), which can help dogs sensitive to common proteins like chicken or beef.
- For High Energy Dogs: The high digestibility of raw food means dogs absorb more energy from smaller meals.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Raw Dog Foods
Q: Is raw dog food safe from bacteria like Salmonella?
A: Raw food naturally contains bacteria. Reputable manufacturers use strict hygiene controls and often use High-Pressure Processing (HPP) or flash-freezing to reduce risks. Always handle raw food like you would raw meat for human consumption.
Q: How much raw food should I feed my dog?
A: This depends on your dog’s weight, age, and activity level. A general starting point is feeding about 2% to 3% of their ideal adult body weight daily, split into two meals.
Q: Can I mix raw food with my dog’s current kibble?
A: Experts usually advise against mixing. Raw and cooked foods digest at different rates, which can sometimes cause stomach upset.
Q: What if my dog is a puppy? Do they need different food?
A: Yes. Puppies need higher protein and specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratios to support rapid bone growth. Ensure the label says “All Life Stages” or is specifically formulated for puppies.
Q: Where should I store the raw food?
A: Keep frozen portions in your freezer until you need them. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Never thaw raw food on the counter at room temperature.
Q: What are the signs my dog is doing well on raw food?
A: You should see a shinier coat, healthier skin, smaller and firmer stools, higher energy levels, and improved dental health.
Q: Do I need to add supplements to a complete raw meal?
A: If you buy a complete and balanced formula that meets AAFCO standards, no extra supplements should be needed.
Q: Is raw food more expensive than kibble?
A: Often, yes, raw food costs more upfront. However, some owners report needing to feed less volume due to higher nutrient density.
Q: What should I do if my dog has diarrhea after switching?
A: Slow down the transition. Feed only the new food for a few days to let the gut adjust. If it continues, consult your veterinarian.
Q: Can I feed my dog a vegetarian raw diet?
A: Dogs are biologically carnivorous. A vegetarian diet is very difficult to balance safely for dogs, especially raw. It is strongly discouraged unless guided by a veterinary nutritionist.